By Sue Wambolt, Contributing Writer
Marlborough/Hudson – The cat's out of the bag for local feline fans. Cat Rescue of Marlborough and Hudson (CaRMaH) will host a Feline Film Festival, its first large-scale fundraiser.
“With the huge hunger for Internet cat videos, there have been many feline film festivals held all over the United States,” said CaRMaH President Jocelyne Durrenberger. “I was inspired to hold one because our community of cat lovers enjoys seeing videos posted to our Facebook page, and we know so many cat lovers.”
The fundraiser will feature Charter TV's WooTube entertainment show host and three-time Central Massachusetts Entertainer of the Year winner Dale LePage, who will act as guest emcee and auctioneer. LePage and renowned guitarist Joe D”Angelo will also perform a short set during the event.
“The program for the feline film festival will be tailored to the response we get from the public” said Durrenberger.?”If we have many submissions, it will be all original works. As a first time project, we may not draw as many original works, in which case we will create an entertaining program of both classic and off-the-beaten path Internet cat videos.”
In addition to videos of YouTube feline stars like Maru and Henri, the film festival will feature video submissions from the public. Entries should be no longer than three minutes and must be in the form of a downloadable link. All genres are welcome, including documentary, narrative, experimental, and animated. While original works are encouraged, reworking of Internet videos are welcome.
Crystal Community Cat Trophies will be awarded to filmmakers for different categories including “weirdest” and “cutest.” A panel of cat curators — local cat rescue luminaries, whose identities will remain secret until the day of the event — will review all submissions and pick the best of the litter.
Along with videos, event planners are seeking high-resolution feline photos for a slideshow, as well as folks who are willing to share their stories, poems, or limericks. Submissions will be accepted until Sunday, Jan. 5.
Information and instructions for making submissions can be found at www.carmah.org
The fundraiser will also feature a silent auction and raffle and concessions. CaRMaH t-shirts will be available for sale.
The Feline Film Festival will take place on Sunday, Jan.19, at the Strand Theatre, 58 High St., Clinton, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased for $10 at carmahfelinefilmfestival.brownpapertickets.com or at the door the day of the event. All proceeds benefit the Community Cats of the Marlborough and Hudson area through CaRMaH's Trap-Neuter-Return and Adopt-a-Meower programs.
For more information about the Feline Film Festival, contact CaRMaH's Media Specialist Monica Hamilton or visit CaRMaH's Facebook page.